Topkapı Kaleiçi Meydanı Kentsel Tasarim

ISTANBUL CITY WALLS TOPKAPI KALEİÇİ SQUARE URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION

Team: Architect Gülay Didir - Architect Simay Çağ

Architect Peker Ayan - Landscape Architect Bilge Kobak

City Planner Şevval Cefik - City Planner Ece Güven

Type: One Phased Urban Design Competition Client: Istanbul Fatih Municipality
Location: Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey Status: Procurement Award Period: June 2022

The city of Istanbul, its urban history is 3,000 years old and its metropolitan history dates back to 16 centuries ago. While the City Walls came to the fore in the Greek period, new city walls were added in the Roman Period. In addition, churches and monasteries take their place as active urban elements. Although the city walls remained almost the same during the Ottoman period, it is observed that mosques, which are the main elements of Islamic culture, come to the fore in the urban fabric. In this context, we can call Istanbul, where different layers of history and culture are located, as a MULTI-LAYER CITY, with its geographical and topological features and its structure reflecting its feature of being the metropolis of today.

Layers of The City

Dynamic City Walls and Active Square

Dynamic City Walls and Active Square vision have been determined for the revitalization of the surroundings, the survival of the square and a sustainable environment. In line with this vision, the basic components (transportation, ecology, economy and social) are discussed starting from the upper scale suggestions.

Routes

Cultural routes have been created in order to highlight the cultural heritage and recreation areas in and around the square. In this way, the square has become not only an event space, but also a focus where cultures intersect. Panorama History Museum was seen as a starting point. The square, which has many structures from different civilizations, is considered as a cultural focus. The end point is determined as Zeytinburnu National Garden, which is a resting area. At the same time, the area provides access to important historical places from Topkapi Palace in the continuation of Vatan Street.

The main design decisions taken for the square and its surroundings are based on carrying the traces from the past to the present. The main design decisions taken for the square and its surroundings are based on carrying the traces from the past to the present. Within these main decisions, there are traces of building blocks in the past, orchards and green areas, historical structures and cultural traces.

Acupuncture Points

Points that have the potential to establish a close relationship with the square were specified.